Quite simply, I'd like to understand what happens to people's MA practice and training during difficult phases of your life?

I'm always fascinated by this - my Father recently died, after being ill for some time. I know my practice helped me cope in so many ways, and I'm conscious not to stress my body, but practices like qigong can be calming and restorative.

Would just like anyone's thoughts on this.

Practise helps in difficult times,

My musical practise (before I found MA) basically kept me going.
I had an emotional outlet, a constructive outlet, a fulfilling outlet...

MA is very similar, your body works hard so it becomes healthy, better energy flow, the skill you get and sense of achievment makes you feel better, while you train your mind is quiet.. which is an important one.

I have had times in my life where I hit a low and then 'Couldn't be bothered' to go to training, but everytime I missed training I sunk a little deeper and resented myself for it.
It's hard to find motivation when things around you seem crap, but believe me when I say that training always makes you feel better even if only for a few hours...


Keep the momentum going or you will struggle to get it moving again!

Thanks, Ryusui_Ryu that's a tremendous help.

Sorry to hear that Wuming, sounds awful

I wouldn't say ma has helped me through things, but when I am training that's all that is on my mind, so it's an escape when things get tough really. Nothing beats punching a bag very hard when you need to work something out of your system

So surely MA has helped you through things Su Lin...


You had an outlet for emotion, and quiet time in your mind. That is a big help...

Well yeah kind of, it's good being able to escape and focus on other things ,just as playing an instrument would give me an escape too.

Thanks Su Lin, and Ryusui_Ryu.

I don't want to plaster my grief all over the forum, but I am finding that I am dreading trying to even move into the softer elements of tai chi practice, because it entails letting be and letting go. I suppose that will eventually help.

Its just early days.

I know for sure what little MA training and practice I have had, mentally is helping me massively. Physically, all the training and conditioning exercises helped me handle what I had to do at the point of death, so I count it as a blessing I had that experience and strength to draw on.

BTW, I reckon everyone should learn CPR properly, I found myself in a situation where I was the only one among 6 or so people who knew what to do.

Caz

You have all our sympathies Wu Ming.

Certain meditation techniques help, but I find the really hard training helps me focus on one thing and clear my mind of all others, hard to think of anything else apart from survival when someone is choking you. I get lost in the action.

Being the instructor I have to turn up to run the club, before that I had a training partner and would go even if I didnt feel like it, just so I didnt let him down.. but at the end of every lesson I would always feel better and wondered what I would do if I didnt train.

I think it gives you a mast to hold onto in the storms of life.

Cheers Mad Dog, it really is challenging to find a path through it. Physically I feel exhausted, and yet I know practice makes me feel better. I guess finding the path through it is the key at the moment. Try and and find what works???

Caz.

The Buddha said that 3 things will help towards enlightenment from suffering.

Buddha - to seek to be awake
Dharma - to seek the truth
Sangha - to have like minded people around you

To learn to live 'in the moment' is important in times of stress, to not be confused and always look for the truth in anything, (life is always changing, don't try to cling to anything or anyone or you will suffer unnecessarily) and to have your training and training friends around you who are on the same journey as you is sooooooo helpful....

Martial Arts gives you a strong support group in times of stress, those are the times that you should attend the club regularly.

my Father recently died, after being ill for some time.

First of all Wu Ming, I'm sorry to hear about your father, what a dreadful time for you.

I agree, Taekwondo serves as my sanctuary, especially when I'm having a difficult time. My class on a Wednesday evening is particularly special to me as I can totally lose myself for an hour and forget about everything else.

It also helps that I'm surrounded by good people, especially my instructor who is also a good friend.

Very sorry to hear of your loss.

I find that while training, I am away from the events happening in the outside world. Whether those are good or bad, I am totally focused on training. When I'm stressed I seek to train more.